Clayton Kershaw first to 20 wins as Dodgers pound Cubs 14-5

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw delivers during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Friday, Sept. 19, 2014, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

By The Korea Times Los Angeles staff

During an uncharacteristic outing, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ ace Clayton Kershaw still came away with a win, making him the first Major League pitcher to reach 20 wins this season.

Kershaw only pitched five innings on Friday at Chicago, and in that time he gave up three runs – all of which were scored in the first inning. He also gave up a season-high tying three walks, while also hitting a batter.

To put things into perspective, Kershaw has been pitching lights out in his last 20 games with a 17-1 record and a 1.39 ERA. It is widely assumed that he will receive the National League Cy Young Award and also the MVP award, especially after Giancarlo Stanton, outfielder for the Miami Marlins, weathered a season ending injury.

Despite his wobbly start, the Dodgers provided plenty of run support, setting up a cushion of eight runs before Kershaw left the mound after the fifth inning. Matt Kemp whipped up a three-run homer in the first inning, while A.J. Ellis hit two home runs early on. As soon as Kershaw stepped off the mound, Yasiel Puig launched a signature bat-flipping three-run homer over the left field wall.

The Dodgers (88-66) ended up scoring six more runs to batter the Chicago Cubs (68-86) 14-5. Their magic number to clinch a playoff spot is now down to two.